Maribyrnong council will not allow planter boxes to be used for growing produce on nature strips, despite previously celebrating the success of an urban farming trial.
In 2013, the council piloted a program to install 10 wooden boxes in Pitt Street, West Footscray, and five in Eldridge Street, Footscray, in which community members could grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs.
At the time, council officers surveyed residents involved with the planting project, and their evaluation of it highlighted “social connection, food production and skill development outcomes”.
Ninety per cent of respondents said the planter box project should continue in their streets and be allowed in other areas.
The evaluation report requested that council “continue to monitor community interest in urban agriculture initiatives and consider nature strip planter boxes as feasible initiatives”.
Star Weekly reported last week that the council had ordered a Yarraville family to remove the vegetable garden they had grown in planter boxes on a nature strip in front of their home, despite the produce being on offer to anyone.
The council does not allow structures or plants on nature strips to be higher than 50 centimetres.
The council did not answer questions about whether further trials of nature strip planter boxes would be considered, but community services director Clem Gillings said it did support urban agriculture initiatives delivered in a “safe, sustainable, equitable way” to encourage participation by all residents.
“Through face to face engagement with our community, and in our work with community agricultural groups, we have found that there is considerable interest in communal and private gardens spaces,” Ms Gillings said.
“About 12 urban horticultural sites [including community gardens] are located across the city.”
She said the council supported sustainable gardening through My Smart Garden via www.mysmartgarden.org.au
